Canadian Resources for Cerebral Palsy
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term for a group of disorders that affect body movement and muscle coordination. The name consists of “cerebral,” meaning “of the brain,” and “palsy,” a lack of muscle control.
Cerebral Palsy is the most common physical disorder in Canada, affecting over 1 in 500 Canadians. Premature births raise the likelihood of obtaining Cerebral Palsy, which affects up to 1 in 3 premature babies.
While there are many sources online about Cerebral Palsy in children, it is important to note that Cerebral Palsy is not a condition limited to children. It may be obtained during infancy, but the condition does not go away — there are many adults and elderly individuals with the condition.
Resources for Cerebral Palsy
- Canada-wide
The Cerebral Palsy Canada Network, a national initiative of Cerebral Palsy Alberta, is a central portal for provincial Cerebral Palsy organizations. It houses many resources related to Cerebral Palsy and disability organizations, so for the purposes of this article, the primary ones will be highlighted.
- Provincial Organizations
British Columbia
Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia
Created in 1954, the Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia provides people with Cerebral Palsy and their families resources, funding, and programs. One of their programs is “CP Connections,” a program aimed at helping youth with Cerebral Palsy connect with their peers within the province.
Alberta
Cerebral Palsy Alberta was founded in 1976. On their website, visitors can read annual reports of the organization or purchase Manimo dolls, plush animals designed to help individuals with sensory conditions.
Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families (Calgary)
Since 1951, Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families offers financial support and social programs for children and families.
Edmonton Cerebral Palsy Association
This parent-based organization has been helping their community and advocating for the expansion of government services since 1951.
Saskatchewan
Founded in 1985, Cerebral Palsy Saskatchewan offers resources and programs like the “Recreational Subsidy Program” to provide individuals with the support they need.
Manitoba
Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba
Alongside resources, scholarships, and grants, the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba also hosts a variety of events like “Boccia Night,” “Sledge Hockey in Winkler,” and “Wheelchair Learn to Curl.”
Ontario
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
The Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy was founded in 1947 with the goal of providing “education, therapeutic services, and social activities” for children during a time when schools did not accept children with disabilities. Over the years, the organization has helped many Ontario residents with Cerebral Palsy through education and advocation.
Québec
Association de Paralysie Cérébrale du Québec
APCQ was founded in 1949 and has never stopped championing the rights of people with Cerebral Palsy. In 2019, they organized the first pan-Canadian conference on Cerebral Palsy, bringing together advocates and researchers from all over the country.
Nova Scotia
On Cerebral Palsy Nova Scotia’s Facebook page, it provides information about events happening in the region, like local inclusive sports programs for athletes of all abilities.
Saint John New Brunswick
Cerebral Palsy Foundation (Saint John) Inc
This organization helps organize communication aids, mobility aids, and other devices to help people with Cerebral Palsy. They also offer the annual $1,000 Gertrude Aarela Memorial Scholarship, for graduating New Brunswick high school students with Cerebral Palsy; the scholarship grants funds used towards post-secondary education.
Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island Cerebral Palsy Association (PEI CIP)
The PEI CP was introduced in the 1970s but was re-established in 2021. They have partnered with Recreational Respite to allow its members access to programs, recreation activities, and workshops.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador was founded in 1963 by Gertrude and Bill Crosbie. They offer the Gertrude Crosbie Memorial Scholarship annually to help one local resident fund post-secondary education. On their website, amongst general resources and services for people with Cerebral Palsy, they list accessible local businesses and media with disability representation.
- General Disability Organizations with Resources on Cerebral Palsy
Located at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, CanChild is a non-profit research and educational centre whose research seeks to improve the lives of children with disabilities. Within their resources page, Cerebral Palsy is among the conditions that they focus on. Website visitors can choose to view only resources on Cerebral Palsy if they wish.
Sources
“Accessible Local Businesses.” Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, https://cerebralpalsynl.wixsite.com/cerebralpalsynl/accessible-local-businesses. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“About | Cerebral Palsy Canada Network.” Cerebral Palsy Canada Network, https://www.cpcanadanetwork.com. Accessed 2 Dec. 2021.
“About the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy.” Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, https://www.ofcp.ca/about-the-ofcp/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“About Us.” Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, https://cerebralpalsynl.wixsite.com/cerebralpalsynl/about-us. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“About Us.” Saskatchewan Cerebral Palsy Association, https://cpsk.ca/about-us. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“ANNUAL REPORT | Cerebral Palsy Alberta.” Cerebral Palsy Alberta, https://www.cpalberta.com/annual-report. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta.” Alberta Mentoring Partnership, https://albertamentors.ca/amp-partners/cerebral-palsy-association-alberta/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
Cerebral Palsy Nova Scotia. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Cerebral-Palsy-Nova-Scotia-2730744663607780/?ref=page_internal. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Cerebral Palsy, What Is It?” Cerebral Palsy Association of BC, https://www.bccerebralpalsy.com/about-us/about-cerebral-palsy/cerebral-palsy/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2021.
“CP Connections.” Cerebral Palsy Association of BC, https://www.bccerebralpalsy.com/programs/cp-connections/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Discover CanChild | CanChild.” CanChild, https://www.canchild.ca/en/discover-canchild. Accessed 2 Dec. 2021.
“Do You Know Manimo? – Manimo – Weighted Companion.” Manimo, https://manimo.ca/en/about/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Guide to Cerebral Palsy.” The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, https://www.cerebralpalsy.mb.ca/about.htm. Accessed 2 Dec. 2021.
“Home | The Prince Edward Island Cerebral Palsy Association.” The Prince Edward Island Cerebral Palsy Association, https://www.cerebralpalsypei.com. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Literature and Media.” Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, https://cerebralpalsynl.wixsite.com/cerebralpalsynl/services-3. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Mission & Vision.” Cerebral Palsy Association of BC, https://www.bccerebralpalsy.com/about-us/mission-vision/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Notre histoire – Association de Paralysie Cérébrale du Québec.” Association de Paralysie Cérébrale du Québec, https://paralysiecerebrale.com/notre-histoire/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“PEI CP Association.” CanadaHelps, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/prince-edward-island-cerebral-palsy-association/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Rec. Subsidy Program | Saskatchewan Cerebral Palsy Association.” Saskatchewan Cerebral Palsy Association, https://cpsk.ca/rec-subsidy-program. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Services.” Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, https://cerebralpalsynl.wixsite.com/cerebralpalsynl/services-9. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Upcoming Events.” The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, https://www.cerebralpalsy.mb.ca/events.htm. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“Virtual Respite and Group Programs.” Respite Services, https://www.recrespite.com/virtual-services/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
“What Is CP? | Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.” Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, https://cerebralpalsynl.wixsite.com/cerebralpalsynl/what-is-cp. Accessed 2 Dec. 2021.
“What We Do.” Cerebral Palsy Foundation (Saint John) Inc., http://www.cpfsj.ca/what_we_do.htm. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
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